Exchanges

I have been here working in the US for more than three months now.  Three months away from family and friends, familiar faces and places, grinding daily on my own.  Yes, I have adjusted to the work and the workplace.  And no, I still am not driving which sucks bigtime.  However, let me share some of the lighter stuff with you.  I work with amazing people and though there are some patients who can be pains in the butt from time to time, most of them are funny, sometimes intentional, sometimes not, but I laugh my heart out nonetheless.  These small and big laughs I share with them is like a ray of sunshine amidst the gray clouds of loneliness and helps keep me going day after day after day.

To keep patient confidentiality I will not reveal their real names but I will name them with their initials.  But for one patient in particular, I shall call her Grandma as she is the star amongst these funny retorts. Grandma is hard of hearing which makes it even funnier. Here we go:

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Julie (Speech Therapist):  You are very likeable.
Grandma: I'm like a Baptist?
J: No, you are very likeable.
Grandma: I'm like a boy?
 J:  ...........   (facepalm)
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Julie: I live in Midlothian
Grandma: You live in the middle of the ocean?

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Julie: What did you have for lunch today, broccoli or green beans?
AT: Well I had broccoli.  But everyone else calls it green beans.

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 After lunch I went to see a patient in the dining hall to see if she was done eating.  I came down there as she was eating her dessert.

Me: Ms MS.  How do you like your apple pie?
MS:  Oh, it is wonderful dear!  Now get me out of here before I vomit!
Me:  (burst out laughing)

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 MS: Ooooh those buttercups are pretty but mind you they could be poisonous.  One day I saw my pets eating them and oooooh those cats were as sick as a dog!

                        Irony, anybody? :-)
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    Grandma watching people going out the rehab door..
Grandma:  Everybody in my neighborhood has a big behind.  (Looks at me with curious eyes)  Now tell me why is that?
Me:  (laughs) I dunno Grandma, ask them.

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Julie:  Oh, I feel dumb today.
AT:  I can tell by the way you look.   (hahaha!)

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Amy (my boss, rehab manager):  Grandma, you look lovely today! Who cut your hair?
Grandma: My grand daughter (she mistakes her daughter for her grand daughter often)
Amy:  How can I get a haircut like yours?
Grandma: I don't know.  You have to bring your head over there.

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Ambulation training.
Me: Okay, Grandma, remember! Walker, bad leg, good leg.  Ready?
Grandma: Okay.  (Stands up but farts loudly along the way)
Me: Oh, c'mon Grandma, you farted!
Grandma: There is no such word.  Try poop.
Me: Bwahahaha Grandma that's even worse.  Sit down.  (laughs uncontrollably)

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In the dining hall

Me: Grandma, where do you sit here?
Grandma: On my ass.
Me: ......

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Yes, our work as physical therapists is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding.  We earn our living by balancing being nice and stern.  But not everything that matters is work and earning money.  If you love your job, such as I do, and spiced up with this quirky retorts from people I serve, it seldom even seems like real work at all. Till next time! See ya!